Genesis 48:20

KJV

And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he blessed {H1288} them that day {H3117}, saying {H559}, In thee shall Israel {H3478} bless {H1288}, saying {H559}, God {H430} make {H7760} thee as Ephraim {H669} and as Manasseh {H4519}: and he set {H7760} Ephraim {H669} before {H6440} Manasseh {H4519}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he added this blessing on them that day: "Isra'el will speak of you in their own blessings by saying, 'May God make you like Efrayim and M'nasheh.'"Thus he put Efrayim ahead of M'nasheh.

Berean Standard Bible

So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh.

American Standard Version

And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee will Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 48:20 encapsulates Jacob's pivotal and prophetic act of blessing Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, deliberately elevating the younger Ephraim over the elder Manasseh. This moment not only establishes a new precedent for the tribal hierarchy within Israel but also powerfully demonstrates divine sovereignty overriding human custom and expectation, imparting a lasting legacy of fruitfulness, prominence, and a new standard for invoking blessings among the Israelites.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jacob's final days, as he prepares to impart his patriarchal blessings and make provisions for his family before his death. Chapters 47 and 48 detail Joseph bringing his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to Jacob for a special blessing. Joseph, adhering to custom, positions Manasseh (the elder) at Jacob's right hand and Ephraim (the younger) at his left, expecting the traditional blessing of primogeniture. However, Jacob, guided by divine insight, intentionally crosses his hands, placing his right hand on Ephraim's head and his left on Manasseh's, an act explicitly noted in [Genesis 48:14](/genesis/48-14 "Jacob crosses his hands"). Verse 20 serves as the public declaration and confirmation of this unconventional blessing, solidifying Ephraim's preeminence despite Joseph's initial attempt to correct his father in [Genesis 48:18](/genesis/48-18 "Joseph's attempt to correct Jacob"). This sets the stage for the subsequent blessings of Jacob's own twelve sons in [Genesis 49](/genesis/49 "Jacob's blessings to his sons").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the blessing of the patriarch was a profoundly significant and binding act, believed to determine the recipient's destiny and inheritance. Primogeniture, the right of the firstborn son to a double portion of the inheritance and the primary leadership role, was a deeply ingrained societal norm. The right hand was universally considered the position of superior honor and blessing, while the left hand was associated with a lesser status. Jacob's deliberate crossing of his hands and placing his right hand on the younger son's head was a radical subversion of this deeply held cultural tradition, making his action in [Genesis 48:20](/genesis/48-20 "Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh") a powerful statement of divine prerogative over human custom. This act would have been shocking to contemporary observers and underscored the divine rather than human origin of the blessing.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 48:20](/genesis/48-20 "Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh") contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's freedom to choose and elevate whomever He wills, often overturning human expectations or societal norms, as seen with Jacob over Esau in [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Jacob chosen over Esau") or David over his older brothers in [1 Samuel 16:6-12](/1_samuel/16-6-12 "Samuel anoints David"). Another significant theme is the **Power of Prophetic Blessing**, where a spoken word, inspired by God, actively shapes future realities and destinies. The verse also highlights the **Formation of Israel's Tribes**, as Ephraim and Manasseh are elevated to the status of full tribes, effectively giving Joseph a "double portion" and profoundly impacting the future geography and political landscape of Israel. Finally, it underscores the theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, as the blessing promises continued fruitfulness and multiplication, fulfilling aspects of the covenant made with Abraham in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's promise to Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 48:20](/genesis/48-20 "Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh") succinctly captures the culmination of Jacob's pivotal blessing. The verse states, "And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh." This declaration is rich with meaning and prophetic significance.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blessed (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** This primitive root signifies "to kneel," and by implication, "to bless God (as an act of adoration)" or "man (as a benefit)." It denotes a formal, divinely inspired pronouncement intended to impart divine favor, prosperity, and power. In this context, Jacob's blessing is a performative utterance, not merely a wish, but an active declaration that shapes the future of Ephraim and Manasseh and their descendants.
* **set (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** This primitive root carries a wide range of meanings, including "to put," "appoint," "ordain," or "place." Here, it emphasizes Jacob's deliberate and intentional action. He didn't merely "put" Ephraim in a certain position; he "set" him, implying a purposeful arrangement and establishment of Ephraim's elevated status over Manasseh, solidifying the prophetic reversal.
* **before (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** This word, typically plural but used singularly, refers to "the face" and, with a prepositional prefix, can mean "before," "in the presence of," or "in front of." In this context, "he set Ephraim before Manasseh" means Jacob explicitly established Ephraim's precedence and superiority in rank and blessing, publicly affirming his greater destiny and future prominence in the sight of all present, including Manasseh himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he blessed them that day, saying,"**: This opening clause establishes the setting and the nature of the event. "That day" highlights the specific, momentous occasion of Jacob's public and formal declaration. The act of "blessing" (from _bârak_) is a divinely inspired pronouncement, carrying spiritual authority and shaping the future. The phrase "saying" introduces the direct speech of Jacob's prophetic utterance, emphasizing its spoken, performative nature.
* **"In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh:"**: This is the core of Jacob's prophetic declaration. It means that the names of Ephraim and Manasseh would become a proverbial expression or a standard formula for invoking blessing within the nation of Israel. To bless someone "as Ephraim and as Manasseh" would be to wish them great fruitfulness, multiplication, and prosperity, signifying that their descendants would be numerous and highly favored, serving as a benchmark for future generations' blessings.
* **"and he set Ephraim before Manasseh."**: This concluding clause underscores the intentionality and significance of Jacob's action. The verb "set" (from _sûwm_) implies a deliberate placement and establishment of status. By "setting Ephraim before Manasseh," Jacob formally and publicly affirmed the younger son's preeminence over the elder, cementing the reversal of primogeniture and prophetically designating Ephraim for a more prominent role in the future history of the tribes of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is powerfully present in Jacob's physical actions: the crossing of his hands ([Genesis 48:14](/genesis/48-14 "Jacob crosses his hands")) and the placement of his right hand (symbolizing superior blessing) on Ephraim, the younger, rather than Manasseh, the elder. This physical act visually communicates the divine reversal of human expectation. This reversal also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at a recurring biblical pattern where God often chooses the unexpected, the less prominent, or the younger to accomplish His purposes, thereby magnifying His sovereign grace rather than human merit or tradition. Furthermore, the phrase "In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh" demonstrates **Proverbial Language** or **Idiomatic Expression**. Jacob's words are not just a blessing but a prophecy that the names of Ephraim and Manasseh would become a common, enduring formula for invoking prosperity and fruitfulness within the nation of Israel for generations to come.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 48:20 stands as a profound testament to God's sovereign will, which consistently transcends and often overturns human expectations, traditions, and natural order. Jacob's deliberate elevation of the younger Ephraim over the elder Manasseh is a powerful illustration that God's favor is not predicated on birthright, societal custom, or human merit, but entirely on His divine prerogative and purpose. This act reinforces the biblical principle that God's ways are higher than human ways, demonstrating His freedom to choose and elevate the humble or the unexpected to accomplish His grand designs, thereby magnifying His grace and power throughout redemptive history.

* [Romans 9:10-13](/romans/9-10-13 "God's sovereign choice of Jacob over Esau")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "God chooses the foolish and weak")
* [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "The stone the builders rejected")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 48:20 serves as a profound reminder that God's wisdom often transcends human understanding and tradition. It encourages believers to cultivate a deep and unwavering trust in God's sovereign plan, even when His choices appear counter-intuitive, defy conventional logic, or challenge our preconceived notions of how things "should" be. Just as Ephraim received a greater blessing despite being the younger, this passage teaches us that God frequently uses the humble, the unexpected, or the seemingly less prominent to achieve His greatest purposes, thereby showcasing His boundless power and grace. This should inspire humility in us, prompting us to recognize that our worth and potential are not defined by earthly status or human expectations, but by God's divine calling and anointing. Furthermore, it underscores the enduring impact of spiritual blessings and encourages us to seek and impart divine favor, recognizing its capacity to shape generations and leave a lasting legacy of faith, reminding us that true fruitfulness comes from God's hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on human logic or societal expectations rather than trusting in God's sovereign, often surprising, plan?**
* **How does the reversal of primogeniture in this passage challenge your understanding of who God chooses to bless and use for His purposes?**
* **Considering the power of prophetic blessing, how might you more intentionally speak words of life, affirmation, and spiritual blessing over others in your sphere of influence?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jacob bless Ephraim, the younger son, over Manasseh, the elder?**

Answer: Jacob's decision to bless Ephraim over Manasseh was not arbitrary but a divinely inspired act, demonstrating God's sovereign right to choose and elevate whom He wills, irrespective of human custom or birth order. This act foreshadows a recurring biblical theme where God's favor is shown to the unexpected or the younger, emphasizing that His blessing is based on His divine will, not on human merit or societal traditions. It highlights that God's ways are often contrary to human expectations, as seen in other biblical instances like Jacob and Esau ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Jacob chosen over Esau")) or David being chosen over his older brothers ([1 Samuel 16:6-12](/1_samuel/16-6-12 "Samuel anoints David")).

**What does "In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh" mean?**

Answer: This phrase indicates that the names of Ephraim and Manasseh would become a proverbial expression or a standard formula for blessing within Israel. To wish someone to be "as Ephraim and as Manasseh" was to invoke a blessing of great fruitfulness, prosperity, and multiplication. It signified that their descendants would be numerous and highly favored, serving as a benchmark for future generations' blessings. This prophetic declaration ensured that their names would be synonymous with divine favor and increase throughout the history of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound reversal of primogeniture in [Genesis 48:20](/genesis/48-20 "Jacob's blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh"), where the younger is elevated over the elder, finds its ultimate and most glorious Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While humanity, through the "first" Adam, inherited sin and death ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Sin entered the world through one man")), Christ, the "second" Adam ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "The first Adam and the last Adam")), reverses this curse, bringing life, righteousness, and spiritual inheritance to all who believe. Jesus consistently elevated the "last" to be "first" and the "least" to be "greatest" within His kingdom ([Matthew 19:30](/matthew/19-30 "The first shall be last")), demonstrating that God's favor is not based on earthly status, lineage, or human merit, but on His sovereign grace and the call to humble faith. The promised fruitfulness of Ephraim and Manasseh also powerfully prefigures the spiritual multitude of believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue who are grafted into the family of God through Christ, becoming heirs according to the promise ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs according to the promise")). Through Christ's ultimate sacrifice and resurrection, the unexpected and the spiritually "younger" (those who were once far off) are brought near and receive the greatest blessing of all: eternal life and full inclusion in God's covenant family ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Brought near by the blood of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 24:60

And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou [art] our sister, be thou [the mother] of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.

Ruth 4:11

And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

Ruth 4:12

And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.

Genesis 28:3

And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

Numbers 2:18

On the west side [shall be] the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim [shall be] Elishama the son of Ammihud.

Numbers 2:21

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

Numbers 10:22

And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host [was] Elishama the son of Ammihud.